The “Alter-Ego” 860hp GUMPERT apollo r

Posted: 07 Mar 2012 07:19 AM PST

860hp GUMPERT apollo r from Geneva

Gallery after the jump!

Sitting alongside of the GUMPERT apollo enraged was its alter ego, the GUMPERT apollo r. This time the team took the same 4.2 liter V8 added a higher supercharging pressure, timing adjustments and other mods. This plus optimizing the exterior body for stronger airflow and air-intake allowed the apollo r to achieve 860hp. A higher flowing race exhaust carries the fumes outback and to your competition.

“Race cars are not entirely new to us,” says Roland Gumpert about the latest model from Altenburg. “After all, we competed in the 24h at the ‘Nurburgring’ race course with Heinz-Harald Frentzen in a hybrid apollo in 2008.” Increased demand, especially from Asia, has now prompted the company to offer a pure race car in addition to the street legal apollo and apollo s models. “Many of our customers are driving their apollo on the racecourse, usually during track days or private events. With the apollo r, we allow ambitious drivers among them to participate in open GT events,” continues the manager of the manufacturing company.

Of course maximum performance depends on the use of racing fuel with correspondingly high octane levels. In view of the planned deployment in Asia and the expected temperatures, the engine and transmission cooling system was also enhanced. The spur-toothed dog ring transmission is controlled by rocker switches on the steering wheel but without a clutch pedal. A central digital dashboard supplies the driver with essential information.

860hp GUMPERT apollo r shows off the griffon

You wont find any of the apollo enraged luxuries in the r, this is pure race!

To bring all this brute force to the pavement, the chassis which already set standards was extended with a titanium blade stabilizer on the rear axle. Numerous optimization measures, for example on milled parts, the wiring harness and undercarriage, as well as eliminating comfort components such as the boot, allowed the charge weight (empty tank) to be reduced to 2,425lb (1,100 kg). “The apollo r is more powerful and lighter than any other apollo. Since we are not necessarily known for understatement, we also decided to put this superiority on display with correspondingly striking foils on the apollo r,” is how Roland Gumpert describes his race car.

The apollo r on display had a mesmerizing German flag like black, red and gold wrap. As you step back, the griffon comes to life, adorning the gullwing doors. Black GUMPERT center-lock wheels with Michelin Slick S8H’s will keep the 860hp planted.